News & Events - 2012
Happy Holidays
The Undergraduate Studies offices will be closed until January 2. If there is an emergency and you must get in touch, please check our contact page for how to do so. (read more)
Signature Course Class Gives Away $100,000
A group of thirty UT students gave $100,000 to five charities this week. It’s not their money, or the University’s; it comes instead from an anonymous foundation that wants to do good simultaneously in two ways—give to charity and help students learn the ways of generosity. (read more)
Update on Undergraduate Studies
Our advising center helps the university get closer to meeting its four-year graduation goals by guiding students to majors in which they can excel, allowing them to graduate quickly; and minimizing switching between majors by encouraging exploration while completing core coursework. (read more)
Meet Our Student Council Officers
Meet the hard-working and enthusiastic students who help guide Undergraduate Studies. The Undergraduate Studies Council officers come from different backgrounds and interests, but agree that the main issue our students face is planning a personal path through all of the possibilities at UT Austin. (read more)
New Sanger Endowment Announced at Dedication
Interim Dean Larry Abraham announced the new Sanger Learning Assistance Fund Endowment, to be created with funds donated by Philip Asher Sanger. The endowment will address the specific needs of University of Texas students with learning disabilities or attention disorders. (read more)
New Tools Help Prospective Students Find Paths
The School of Undergraduate Studies contributed a playful and informative 'wayfinding module' as part of an initiative ultimately aimed at improving four-year graduation rates. The online tools help prospective students evaluate their readiness for college-level instruction and select a major. (read more)
School Recognizes Staff for Outstanding Work
Three Undergraduate Studies staff members will receive the 2012 School of Undergraduate Studies Staff Award: BDP Advisor & Archer Fellowship Program Coordinator Rose Mastrangelo, Administrative Associate Vicki Landrum, and Program Coordinator Will Grindle. (read more)
Program Directors Present at National Conference
Every year, 175 First-year Interest Group (FIG) mentors lead 3,000 students through their first semesters at UT. Two Undergraduate Studies program directors were invited to present significant improvements to peer mentor training at the 32nd Annual Conference on the First-Year Experience. (read more)
UGS Student to Represent Austin at Grand Prix
Rocio Tueme will be one of 45 grid girls at the Formula One Grand Prix on Sunday. She was chosen because she is well educated and speaks multiple languages, and feels comfortable carrying on conversation. (read more)
Abramoff Talks Behavioral Ethics in Documentary Premiere
The new Ethics Unwrapped video series premieres with "In It To Win," which explores the internal biases and external pressures disgraced lobbyist and felon Abramoff faced. UGS Curriculum Specialist Jess Miner, Ph.D., was integral in developing the ethics series. (read more)
Join Us in Dedicating the Sanger Learning Center
Interim Dean Larry Abraham will formally dedicate the Sanger Learning Center on Monday, November 12 at 3 p.m. in JES A115. Stop by to see the Center's new, renovated space and hear news about a new endowment. (read more)
November 2 Research Grant Application Deadline
This funding encourages undergraduates to get involved in research early. One winner receives $1,000 to be used towards funding research. Eligible applicants include students assisting a faculty member with a research project and those conducting independent or partnered research. (read more)
Dean Search Under Way
The committee seeks a "strong and visionary leader with a national academic reputation, significant administrative experience, demonstrated ability for consensus building, and a passion for teaching and creating world-class, innovative undergraduate education at a top-tier research university." (read more)
Welcome Families
Interim Dean Larry Abraham and Undergraduate Studies staff welcome Undergraduate Studies families at a Saturday morning breakfast that kicks off Family Weekend. (read more)
Interim Dean Abraham Hosts Town Hall
Undergraduate Studies students are invited to bring questions and concerns to Dr. Abraham on Wednesday afternoon. The interim dean will also speak about the state of the school. (read more)
A New Approach to Ethics Education
Dr. Mary Gentile introduces her Giving Voice to Values curriculum, which trains students to navigated ethically complex situations by "pre-scripting," or practicing what to say and do in advance of moral challenges. Discussion will follow. (read more)
BDP Student Reports on UT Austin Supreme Court Case for Texas Tribune
Jessica Huff, a current Bridging Disciplines Programs (BDP) student, is in Washington D.C. as an Archer Fellow for the semester. She is reporting for the Texas Tribune and the Horn on the Abigail Fisher case currently being heard in the Supreme Court. (read more)
New Initiatives in Undergraduate Studies
Members of the original enrolled class of UGS students are on track to graduate in four years at a higher rate than the university as a whole. Interim Dean Abraham presented this and other new initiatives in the annual State of the School meeting. (read more)
Grant Makes Student's Journey Possible
Ellie Nielsen left for Honduras hoping for a quick look at a field she was considering. She came back sure of two things: she wants to study medicine, and continue learning Spanish so that she can return to a country that needs help. (read more)
President Powers: UGS is "Vital Part of University's Agenda"
In his State of the University address, the president characterized Undergraduate Studies as an important piece of the university's strategic plan and productivity. He also announced the new university-wide career center. (read more)
Hand-Painted Animation Created for BDP Creative Project
Nidhi Reddy adapted the feminist short story "The Yellow Wallpaper" to video for her Bridging Disciplines Programs connecting experience. The double Math and RTF major drew nearly 2,000 images by tracing over footage she shot frame-by-frame to hauntingly beautiful effect. (read more)
10 Years of the Bridging Disciplines Programs
Students pursue interests outside their majors without adding time to their degrees. The program integrates major, core curriculum, and elective requirements around a theme. The interdisciplinary certificate program celebrates 10 years of excellence on Friday. (read more)
The Unforgettable Summer Internship
Danny Nouri channeled his desire to do graphic design and travel into a Bridging Disciplines Programs internship designing at Sony Pictures in Los Angeles. Danny gained experience and connections working on promotional material for Breaking Bad, The Amazing Spider-Man, Community, and other TV shows. (read more)
Three Views of Presidential Politics
The second University Lecture (of two in the series) collects three diverse perspectives on the upcoming presidential election. Professors from the History, Journalism, and Government departments faced off. (read more)
Former Dean Woodruff Celebrated at Texas Book Festival
The Texas Book Festival has invited former dean of Undergraduate Studies Paul Woodruff to speak about his most recent book, The Ajax Dilemma. This year's festival is scheduled for October 27-28. (read more)
New University Recruiting Career Center Hires Director
Karen Landolt will lead the brand-new University Career Interview and Recruiting Center in serving all UT Austin undergraduate and graduate students. The center is overseen by the School of Undergraduate Studies. (read more)
New UT Professorship Creates Legacy of Improved Education for Future Longhorns
A group of Dean Paul Woodruff's colleagues, former students, and supportive fans have started an endowment to honor the dean on the occasion of his return to full-time teaching. (read more)
Interim Dean Steps In
Undergraduate Studies is pleased to welcome Dr. Lawrence Abraham as interim dean. Dr. Abraham previously served as this school's associate dean under Dr. Paul Woodruff, and will continue to serve as co-Director of the UTeach Natural Sciences program. (read more)
Gone to Undergraduate Studies
New Undergraduate Studies students shared a meal, met the Dean and Undergraduate Studies Council, and got ready together for Gone to Texas. (read more)
Dr. Tom Palaima Lauds Dean in Statesman
Dr. Tom Palaima, a professor in the Classics department, has written an opinion piece that praises Dean Woodruff's inclusion of an ethics requirement in the flagged courses that are required of all undergraduate students. In retrospect, he says, "I know that one person can make a difference." (read more)
Books Connect Incoming Students with Top Faculty
The day before classes start, UT Austin's finest faculty volunteer to lead cozy book discussions for first-year students. The Freshman Reading Round-Up, now in its ninth year, asks faculty to suggest a favorite summer read that can open young minds to new ideas or new ways of thinking. (read more)
Honors Colloquium Brings Brightest High School Seniors to Campus
573 rising high school seniors spent a summer weekend on campus, getting a taste of college classes and culture at the Honors Colloquium. The recruitment event invites the brightest Texas high school students to explore UT before applying to schools. (read more)
Undergraduate Studies Welcomes Biggest Incoming Class
1,400 students will enter Undergraduate Studies this fall, up more than 50% from last year's incoming class of 900. Increased staff, new Signature Courses, and new FIGs will serve the record number of students. (read more)
Tower Lighting Honors Dean Woodruff's Contributions to UT
Dean Woodruff "embodies the very traits we want new college students to see and emulate," says President Powers as the dean prepares his return to full-time teaching. Dr. Lawrence (Larry) Abraham will begin as interim dean September 1. (read more)
Biggest Incoming Class for UGS
Signature Courses have added 1,300 seats to this school year, bringing the total to 11,300. FIGs also added sessions, and the advising center increased collaboration between UGS and other colleges. (read more)
Welcome Colloquists
Hundreds of the brightest rising high school seniors arrive on campus Thursday for the 30th annual Honors Colloquium. The free, invite-only program invites the highest-achieving students from all over the state to experience UT. (read more)
Lawrence Abraham to Serve as Interim Dean
Following Dean Woodruff's return to teaching, Dr. Lawrence Abraham has been appointed interim dean. Abraham has served in a number of leadership roles at the university, including 8 years as chairman of the Department of Curriculum & Instruction and co-director of UTeach Natural Sciences. (read more)
Scholarship to FYE Coordinator
Patricia Micks, the First-Year Experience Senior Program Coordinator, was awarded a staff development scholarship for her dedication and commitment to academic advising. (read more)
Dean Woodruff Plans Return to Full-Time Teaching
The inaugural dean of the School of Undergraduate Studies announced this week that he plans to step down from his post, effective Aug. 31. An interim dean will be named in the coming weeks, and a national search will be held for a new dean. (read more)
Welcome New Students
Undergraduate Studies hosts its first orientation sessions of the summer, welcoming the first members of the class of 2016 to campus. Click through for schedule. (read more)
Innovation Rewarded with McDowell Award
Dr. Barbara Brown Wilson and Matthew Fajkus received the Cale McDowell Award for Innovation for their collaboration in creating the "life-changing, radically different" Signature Course, "Skyscrapers and Polar Bears: Perspectives on Sustainable Design." (read more)
Ethics Class Gives Away $100,000
Dean Woodruff's Ethics & the Art of Giving class awarded money to two charities, KIVA and Lone Star Paralysis. Woodruff's students have organized to mentor those in next year's class, which will taught by Pamela Paxton. (read more)
Meet an Undergrad Researcher
Ashvin Bashyam can’t get enough of the thrill surrounding a new discovery that he unexpectedly makes after long hours of work. Learn more at Research Week, April 16-20. (read more)
Wild About UGS
Figure out where to study abroad or how to improve your resume, view fascinating student research projects, and meet the deans during "Wild for UGS" April 16-20. (read more)
First-year Student Stands Up for Signature Courses
Kayla Oliver writes that "the signature course program’s goals are indisputably commendable, and the courses offer a valuable introduction to campus resources and faculty." (read more)
Student Grant Deadline
Undergraduate Studies offers competitive grants to students seeking funds to promote academic and career exploration. Candidates are encouraged to be creative with their planned exploration, and can request any amount up to $2,000. (read more)
Deadline: McDowell Award Nominations Due March 30
The Cale McDowell Award for Innovation recognizes a member of the UT Austin community who has put extraordinary effort towards improving the core curriculum. (read more)
Dean Woodruff Asks: Are You Ajax or Odysseus?
In the March 28 Game Changers talk, Dr. Woodruff used a parable from classical Greece to shed light on a very contemporary business dilemma: how to reward outstanding players without damaging the team. (read more)
UT President Offers Advice, Reflections to UGS Students
President Powers offered advice to an intimate group of Undergraduate Studies students in the most recent Magellan's Circle talking classes and career paths, reflecting on the nature of regret, and sharing opinons about who today's Faulkners are. (read more)
New Interdisciplinary Certificate Program
The Bridging Disciplines Programs has added a new concentration in Conflict Resolution & Peace Studies. Students take strands of courses grouped to help them become more flexible thinkers while preparing them for the professional world with experience that supplements a regular degree. (read more)
Undergraduate Research Shines at Annual Celebration
Lindsay Taraban is a Psychology & English double major researching self-explanation & children's understanding of relational nouns for her honors thesis. She is one of hundreds of undergraduate researchers whose work is being featured as part of Research Week 2012. (read more)
2 UGS Staffers Win Outstanding Awards
Christine Anderson and James Tolleson will receive Outstanding Staff Awards. (read more)
$1.5 Million Gift Will Create Chair in Undergraduate Studies
Tom and Jeanie Carter of Houston have pledged $1.5 million to benefit the School of Undergraduate Studies. The bequest will ultimately create the Thomas L. and Eugenia G. Carter Chair in Undergraduate Studies, which will be held by the school’s dean. (read more)
Longhorn Scholars Senior Program Coordinator Elected to NACADA Board
The National Academic Advising Association elected John Paul Regalado, Longhorn Scholars Senior Program Coordinator, to a three-year term on the board. (read more)
Explore UT
Undergraduate Studies led sessions at Explore UT on Saturday, March 3. Student leaders from the UGS Council, First-year Interest Group (FIG) representatives, and Undergraduate Studies strategic advisors discussed exploring majors and the FIG program. (read more)
School of Social Work hosts Research Stories
Join faculty & students for a candid discussion of passion for applied research. (read more)
McDowell Award Nominations Open
The Cale McDowell Award for Innovation recognizes a member of the UT Austin community who has put extraordinary effort towards improving the core curriculum. Nominations are due March 30. (read more)
FIG Mentors to Receive Longer In-Depth Training
Mentors will read about the millennial generation, to better understand themselves and their generation, in addition to development theory, group management strategies, and cultural awareness. (read more)
Longhorn Research Bazaar Deadline Announced
Applications for presenting research or hosting a table at UGS Research Week's Bazaar, a celebration of research by undergraduates across campus, are due Wednesday, February 22. (read more)
Make Over your Resume
On February 8, the Sanger Center & Center for Strategic Advising give students strategies for highlighting skills & experiences when applying for competitive majors, internships, and jobs. (read more)
Archer Fellow Hopefuls Get Help
On Thursday, January 26, White House internship staff will discuss internships with students interested applying to the Archer Program. Program alumni and staff offer open hours to review working application drafts. (read more)
DemTex Student Instructors Cultivate Academic Curiosity
Jordan Humphreys writes about his experience leading a discussion-based course on innovative video game design as a way to solve societal problems like public health issues, building relationships in online environments, and helping autistic children better express themselves. (read more)
Assistant Dean for Advising Offers Graduation Reminders
"You're about to graduate, and that's a good feeling, but you don't want to kick back too much and let things slip," said David Spight, assistant dean for advising at the Center for Strategic Advising. (read more)